Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 173.
 
JESSE STEARNS

     Jesse Steams, a distinguished attorney of Portland, is regarded as one of
the eminent authorities on Irrigation law in the state and has brought to a
successful issue many large irrigation projects, thus contributing in
substantial measure to the development of Oregon along agricultural and
horticultural lines. He has been equally thorough in his study of other branches
of the profession and his comprehensive knowledge of the law has won for him a
large and representative clientele, Mr. Steams is a native of the east. He was
born in Starksboro, Vermont, January 21, 1859, a son of Ansel L. Steams, also a
native of that place. The great-grandfather, Jonathan Steams, was a soldier in
the Revolutionary war and the grandfather, Theodore H. Steams, was also a native
of the Green Mountain state. Ansel L. Steams, the father, was born in 1835 and
throughout his active life followed the occupation of farming. He was married in
Vermont to Julia Farr, also a native of that state and there his death occurred
in 1887. The mother survives and in 1906 took up her residence in Portland.
     In the district schools of Vermont and New Hampshire Jesse Steams pursued
his early education, subsequently becoming a student in Middlebury College of
Vermont, from which he was graduated in 1883 with the degree of A. B. He then
entered the office of Stewart & Wilds, prominent attorneys of Middlebury, with
whom he read law and in 1886 was admitted to the Vermont bar. In the following
year he went to New York city and in 1888 was there admitted to the bar, later
becoming a partner in the firm of Gifford, Steams and Hobbs, an association
which was maintained for a period of sixteen years, or until 1903. He then
practiced alone for about two years and in the spring of 1905 made his way to
the west, taking up his residence in Portland and in 1906 became counsel for the
Deschutes Irrigation & Power Company. In 1907 he was admitted to the Oregon bar
and in that year opened a law office in this city, where he has since been
engaged in practice. He is an able lawyer, strong in argument, logical in his
deductions and sound in his reasoning, while in the application of legal
principles he is seldom, if ever, at fault. Through broad study he has gained a
comprehensive knowledge of the irrigation laws of the state and of the United
States and is regarded as an authority in this branch of jurisprudence, having
brought many large irrigation projects to a successful issue, owing to his
indefatigable industry and perseverance. In business circles of the city he is
well known as secretary and director of the Central Oregon Irrigation Company
and as a director of the Redmond (Ore.) National Bank and the Willamette Boom
Company. In business affairs his judgment is sound and his investments have been
judiciously made. His record has ever been characterized by absolute honesty and
integrity and he is earnest and conscientious in the performance of his
professional duties, which now make heavy demand upon his time and attention. He
is a man of superior professional attainments, well qualified successfully to
conduct the important litigated interests intrusted to his care.
     On the 27th of December, 1906, Mr. Steams was united in marriage to Mary P.
Hardy, the ceremony being performed at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. By a former marriage
he has two sons: Noble D., who was born in Vermont in 1890 and now residing in
Aberdeen, Washington; and Carroll R., who was born in New York city in 1895.
      In his political views Mr. Steams is a republican. He is an earnest and
active member of the Chamber of Commerce and his social nature finds expression
in his membership in the Arlington, University, Waverly Country and Press Clubs.
In religious matters he is philanthropic but is not identified with any
denomination.  He is a lover of good literature and spends many an enjoyable
hour with his favorite authors and his chief diversions are golf, fishing and
outdoor exercise. During the World war he served as a member of the legal
advisory board and is a loyal, public-spirited citizen whose influence is ever
on the side of advancement and improvement. His life has at all times measured
up to the highest standards and he is honored and respected for his sterling
worth as well as for his pronounced professional ability.
 
 
 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.